Legal News 02/2015

A once-prominent Philadelphia African American lawyer has been disbarred by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court after failing to respond to professional and ethical complaints. The action, which takes effect Feb. 28 and strips Willie Lee Nattiel Jr. of his ...(Feb 1, 2015, Philly.com)

Editorial: Lawyer up, Bill

In 2013, the city's lawyers cut an astonishing $137 million in deals with plaintiffs who sued the NYPD alleging injury — up 31% since 2008. No wonder: New Yorkers filed more claims against the cops than the city's hospitals, jails and sanitation and ...(Feb 1, 2015, New York Daily News)

Lawyer: Lax rules preceded submarine shower videos

A dozen male sailors are waiting to see whether they'll be charged for recording, distributing or not reporting videos of their female shipmates in a submarine's shower changing area for over a year. And one suspect's attorney is building a defense ...(Feb 1, 2015, NavyTimes.com)

Meet the lawyer who designed a dress for the Grammy red carpet

Many people detox from the stress of the office through exercise or a juice cleanse. Mark Roscoe, a family and criminal lawyer by day, finds escape in designing high-end, one-of-a-kind couture dresses and neckties (he once designed a tie for William ...(Feb 1, 2015, Crain's Chicago Business)

Chennai lawyer murdered after bar association elections

CHENNAI: A 38-year-old lawyer was allegedly hacked and stoned to death by a group of lawyers after the Egmore Bar Association election results were declared on Friday night. The deceased has been identified as C Stalin of Villivakkam. Police said ...(Feb 1, 2015, Times of India)

Lawyer Fights $1M Fine Over Banned Testimony, Mistrial

A single word of testimony at a medical-malpractice trial has cost a Pennsylvania lawyer a nearly $1 million fine she says threatens her home, her family and her small law firm. Insurance defense attorney Nancy Raynor says her assets have been frozen ...(Feb 1, 2015, ABC News)

High court suspends lawyer Nick Ward for improprieties

"In my 33 years of doing this, I have never seen anything as unethical and illegal by any lawyer in Cincinnati," Helmer said in a 2008 Enquirer story about Ward and the suits. Last week, Helmer added, “Even a cursory reading of (last week's) decision ...(Feb 1, 2015, Cincinnati.com)

High court suspends lawyer Nick Ward for improprieties

"In my 33 years of doing this, I have never seen anything as unethical and illegal by any lawyer in Cincinnati," Helmer said in a 2008 Enquirer story about Ward and the suits. Last week, Helmer added, "Even a cursory reading of (last week's) decision ...(Feb 1, 2015, Cincinnati.com)

It's a nice diversion for a lawyer who specializes in antitrust cases, unfair trade practices and trade secrets. He gestured to the jumble of legal pads spread across the courtroom desks. “Do you see any levity in here?” I only got a few minutes to ...(Feb 1, 2015, News & Observer)

Lawyer fights $1M fine over banned testimony, mistrial

“A lawyer is not always able to control her witness.” A hearing Feb. 19 will determine if the sanctions will be stayed while she appeals. “Obviously, every lawyer has an obligation to instruct every witness about the (court's) limitation. But $1 ...(Feb 1, 2015, KSN-TV)

Savannah lawyer Jamie Casino made another sledgehammer-wielding local ...

Bruce A. Irvine, 76, of Newtown Square, a Delaware County lawyer, died Monday, Jan. 26, of coronary artery disease at home. Mr. Irvine was a partner in the Media law firm Fronefield & deFuria for 40 years. He also was a successful prosecutor in the ...(Feb 2, 2015, Philly.com)

Sex claims about Prince Andrew and prominent US lawyer reignite American ...

"We will push for legislation on Beacon Hill, but that won't stop us from also pursuing a ballot initiative in 2016," said Richard M. Evans, a Northampton lawyer and chairman of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol in Massachusetts, a ...(Feb 2, 2015, MassLive.com)

The 10th best general manager of all time was a lawyer and sportswriter first ...

The 10th best general manager of all time was a lawyer and sportswriter first ...(Feb 2, 2015, NBCSports.com)

Georgia Lawyer Storms the Super Bowl Again With Another Completely Insane ...

Lawyer: Drugs, not mental health, could be issue in foiled kidnapping case

Roger Kraft, a lawyer for Morley, says the man's mental health likely won't be an issue in the case. Kraft said Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, that drugs could have been a factor in the case of Morley, who is charged with felony child kidnapping in the attempt ...(Feb 2, 2015, Fox News)

The $2.2-million bail for former rap music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight has been revoked, his attorney James E. Blatt told the Los Angeles Times. "It was at $2.2 million and just a few minutes ago it was changed to 'no bail,' " Blatt said at 11:40 a.m ...(Feb 2, 2015, Los Angeles Times)

Lawyer Linked to NYC Chokehold Case Sues Over Rape Claim

An attorney who once represented the family of a man who died in a police chokehold has countersued a woman who accused him of rape, saying in court papers filed Monday that her assault allegations are defamatory. Prosecutors announced last month ...(Feb 2, 2015, ABC News)

Queensbury lawyer seeks judge job

QUEENSBURY -- A Queensbury lawyer has declared his candidacy for the newly created Family Court judgeship in Warren County. Daniel Mannix, 47, said he plans to seek the Republican nomination for the 10-year judgeship that will be up for election this ...(Feb 2, 2015, Glens Falls Post-Star)

Lawyer who lost $500 pen at courthouse tells Douglas County: Find it or replace it

John Kerwin said his $500 Montblanc Meisterstück ballpoint pen went missing after he accidentally left his things at the Douglas County Courthouse security kiosk one day last November. A judge later retrieved Kerwin's keys from the security office, but ...(Feb 2, 2015, Omaha World-Herald)

'Cutthroat' Simpson tries yet again to get new lawyer

Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Don Poole warned John "Cutthroat" Simpson. He suggested solutions, tried harsh threats and told the murder suspect in no uncertain terms that after six attorneys, he shouldn't try dumping his counsel again. And when ...(Feb 3, 2015, Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Lawyer who lost $500 pen at courthouse asks Douglas County: Find it or replace it

John Kerwin said his $500 Montblanc Meisterstück ballpoint pen went missing after he accidentally left his things at the Douglas County Courthouse security kiosk one day last November. A judge later retrieved Kerwin's keys from the security office, but ...(Feb 3, 2015, Omaha World-Herald)

Lawyer blasts claim that Clinton was on Epstein's island

She did not have sex with that man — nor did she even see him. The woman accusing billionaire perv Jeffrey Epstein of forcing her to have sex with Prince Andrew and others is lying about seeing former President Bill Clinton at the moneyman's private ...(Feb 3, 2015, New York Daily News)

Court filings show lawyers hired privately by Scott are vigorously fighting a request to turn over information on trust accounts maintained by Scott and his wife, first lady Ann Scott. Sheldon's attorney is also seeking information on a financial ...(Feb 3, 2015, MiamiHerald.com (blog))

Man who punched lawyer in court pleads guilty to killing girlfriend

A Houston man was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty Monday to killing his girlfriend and sexually assaulting her 4-year-old daughter. Timothy Victoria, 34, was charged with capital murder in 2010 after Dayna Robinson, 27, was found dead ...(Feb 3, 2015, Houston Chronicle)

Double Platinum Rapper Shilling For Local Lawyer Now

Lawyer Mark Jones wanted the world — or at least Columbus, Georgia — to know his name. So he got rapper Mike Jones to film a commercial with him. This way the whole commercial can revolve around fiddling with the famous Mike Jones catchphrase by ...(Feb 3, 2015, Above the Law)

Supervisors welcome new attorney, thank longterm former lawyer

Straub thanked the board and his colleagues at the county attorney's office saying the lawyers in the office were some of the hardest working he'd known. “They really and truly are one of the best law firms in this state,” Straub said. He plans to stay ...(Feb 3, 2015, Arizona Daily Star)

The lawsuit, which was filed in San Francisco, stems from the Tour's unwillingness to negotiate a settlement with the caddies, who claim they are made to wear logo-covered bibs without receiving any proceeds from contracts that lawyers for the caddies ...(Feb 3, 2015, Golf Channel (press release) (blog))

Argentine president's arrest warrant found in lawyer's home

The plot thickens. A draft of an arrest warrant for Argentine President Cristina Fernandez was found Tuesday in the apartment of a lawyer killed under mysterious circumstances last month. The 26-page warrant, found in the garbage, shows that the lawyer ...(Feb 3, 2015, New York Daily News)

Suge Knight?s Bizarre First Day In Court: A New Lawyer and A Recusal

Sloan's lawyer said that he was law school classmates at USC with Cheroske and the judge made the right decision in bowing out. And Knight was quickly rushed off to a local hospital for medical evaluation immediately following his arraignment ...(Feb 3, 2015, Daily Beast)

The Russians Killed My Lawyer. This Is How I Got Congress to Avenge Him.

It was my lawyer, Eduard, who had a horrible message to relay: “Bill, Sergei is dead.” Sergei Magnitsky was one of my lawyers in Russia. He'd been arrested and detained in Moscow for nearly a year after exposing Russian government corruption. I knew ...(Feb 3, 2015, Politico)

Corasanti lawyer hints Rice conduct contributed to her hit-run death

Alexandria “Alix” Rice was texting while riding her longboard home from her job at a pizzeria, about two minutes before Dr. James G. Corasanti hit her with his BMW, Corasanti's attorney told prospective jurors Tuesday at his client's civil trial ...(Feb 3, 2015, Buffalo News)

Bobbi Kristina Brown not married, Bobby Brown's lawyer says

As Bobbi Kristina Brown fights for her life in an Atlanta hospital, her father's lawyer issued a statement today stating she is not married to Nick Gordon. "To correct earlier reports, Bobbi Kristina is not and has never been married to Nick Gordon ...(Feb 3, 2015, NJ.com)

Woman claims ghost pushed her to the ground at her at lawyer's office

A woman claims an angry ghost threw her to the ground when she walked past a desk at her lawyer's office. According to Yahoo News UK, Cecilia Carrasco says she felt something shove her, and it was caught on security cameras. Tap here to watch on the ...(Feb 4, 2015, KTRK-TV)

Attorneys for local lawyer accused of stealing from clients move to halt civil ...

Bobbi Kristina Brown Is Not Actually Married to Nick Gordon, Lawyer Says

Despite public claims from Bobbi Kristina Brown, including a 2013 social media posting that she had married Nick Gordon, her father's lawyer says the two have never married. "We are currently investigating the events that led to the hospitalization of ...(Feb 4, 2015, ABC News)

Lawyer Wants Oakland County Judge To Order Measles Shots For 4 Children

PONTIAC (WWJ/AP) - A judge could decide whether to order four children in a Michigan family to get the measles vaccine against the wishes of their parents. Child protective service workers were seeking to terminate the parental rights of Brian and Amy ...(Feb 4, 2015, CBS Local)

Lawyer pleads guilty in $2M swindle of United Hebrew Cemetery

p1 griffin Timothy Griffin, 55, pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to first-degree grand larceny. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Asked, two years ago, to step in as acting president of a Richmond cemetery after an official had embezzled $850 ...(Feb 4, 2015, SILive.com)

Bobby Brown's Lawyer: Bobbi Kristina & Nick Gordon Not Married

As Bobbi Kristina, the daughter of the late Whitney Houston and singer Bobby Brown, continues to fight for her life in a hospital in Atlanta, her father's lawyer issued a statement to Access Hollywood, noting an investigation is underway, and that the ...(Feb 4, 2015, Access Hollywood)

Michael Galasso, lawyer and judge who advocated for kids, dies

To Bauer, Mr. Galasso's 'thinking like a lawyer' meant not dealing in absolutes and not seeing issues as only black or white. "He zeroed in on what he thought was right … and I encouraged him to go to law school," Bauer said. That advice took Mr ...(Feb 4, 2015, Chicago Tribune)

Bronxville lawyer faces 9 years for charity theft

A Bronxville attorney faces up to nine years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to stealing nearly $2 million from a non-profit cemetery he ran to hide thefts from his law clients. Timothy Griffin admitted in state Supreme Court in Staten Island ...(Feb 4, 2015, The Journal News | LoHud.com)

Meet the Lawyer Who Found Harper Lee's New Novel

The discovery of Harper Lee's soon-to-be published second novel was made by an Alabama lawyer described by HarperCollins as a gatekeeper between the author and the outside world. The Monroeville attorney, Tonja Brooks Carter, came to know Ms. Lee ...(Feb 4, 2015, Wall Street Journal (blog))

Irish Fans Snuck Into Super Bowl, Sat Next To Lawyer Milloy (Photos)

Imagine being in University of Phoenix Stadium to witness the dramatic ending of Super Bowl XLIX. Now imagine watching that ending with former New England Patriots great Lawyer Milloy. And not paying a single penny to do so. That's apparently what ...(Feb 4, 2015, NESN.com)

Lawyer sues ND bar association, claims rights violated

The Goldwater Institute filed its civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court here on behalf of Arnold Fleck, a Bismarck lawyer and vocal proponent of Measure 6, a proposed parental rights law, rejected by voters in the November election. At the crux of the ...(Feb 4, 2015, INFORUM)

Civil rights lawyer honored with marker in downtown Montgomery

In a law career spanning six decades, Fred Gray has handled many different cases. From his work representing Rosa Parks during the Montgomery Bus Boycott to defending plaintiffs involved in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study between 1932 and 1972, Gray ...(Feb 5, 2015, Montgomery Advertiser)

Lawyer: Bobbi Kristina Brown never married

Bobbi Kristina Brown, the daughter of Whitney Houston and R&B singer Bobby Brown who is currently fighting for her life, was never married, a lawyer for Brown has told members of the media. "We are currently investigating the events that led to the ...(Feb 5, 2015, USA TODAY)

Greece's Growth-Linked Debt Plan May Face Legal Obstacle Says Lawyer

Greece's plans to make its debt more manageable by swapping rescue loans for growth-indexed bonds may be deemed illegal under European Union rules, according to a lawyer who worked on the country's 2012 debt restructuring. Greece's creditors will ...(Feb 5, 2015, Newsweek)

Gigi Sohn, the FCC chairman's special counsel for external affairs, spoke to TechCrunch about the net neutrality plan FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler released Wednesday. The plan, which will use Title II of the Communications Act to ensure open Internet, is ...(Feb 5, 2015, TechCrunch)

Russia: Defense Lawyer Brutally Beaten

The violent attack on a defense lawyer right outside the courthouse strongly indicates that the assailants were confident they would get away with it. This is a terrible crime against a courageous defense lawyer, and a chilling signal to lawyers like ...(Feb 5, 2015, Human Rights Watch)